On the other tray were placed a variety of instruments, of whose use Roger was ignorant.

They were small tubes, inserted into bowls of gold or silver; and in addition to these were some things that looked like yellowish-brown sticks, of two or three inches in length, with tubes into which they fitted.
These trays were first handed to Roger, who, after examining their contents, turned to the noble next to him and said: "I know not what these may be, or how they are used.

They are not in use in the country from which I come." The noble looked surprised.
"It is yetl," he said, "and is good for soothing the nerves and preparing for the siesta, besides being very pleasant.

All these are made from the same leaf," and he touched the short sticks, the heap of broken leaves, and the powder.
"This powder we apply to the nose," and he and his companions took a pinch from the box, and thrust it into their nostrils.
Roger followed their example, but a pungent odor brought the tears into his eyes, and in another moment he was seized with a violent fit of sneezing, from which he was some time before he recovered.
"You will get over this, in time," the noble said gravely, but with a slight smile.

"This effect is only experienced when the herb is first used." Much as Roger had been astonished by the effect of the powder, he was still more surprised at the use to which the broken leaf and the little sticks were put.